X-ray table and the like



Sept. 15, 1925. 1,553,901

MCKEE D. HYNES "jx-RAY TABLE AND 'THE v111m:

Filed Jan. 31, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n nu w w N *w i) n? CQ FAW u* E 'U a L hm Q L4 i QT J '1,74 *i fg f fc is vig@ sept. 1s. 192s. 1,553,901

. MCKEE D. HYNES X-RAY TABLE AND THE LIKE mea aan. s1. 1923 2 sums-snm 2 'fm/anim? the field of Patented Sept.y 15, 1925.

.UNITEDQSTTS PATENT. FFICEV' A' I Meinung HYNS, QF omesso, rumors '1r-)RAY armste .111m mi:

l 'implication nea January 31, 1923. ser'rai 1%. 616,198.

To Vall whom it may concern.' f A Be it known that I, `MCKEE D. HYNEs, a; citizen 'of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of 4Cook and State of llhnois, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in X-Ray Tables :and the like, of whiehthe `following is a 'specification.

This invention has to do with certain improvements in X-ray tables and thelike These tables are used for supporting per; sons undergoing Xray4 examinations. The tables to Which the present improvements particularly Vhave reference are especially intended for making X-ray photographs or similar exposures' so as to' establish a permanent record or one which een be' 'examined `in detail after the patient leaves.

Various portions of the human anatomy are to be examined, vinchidimgg the different portions of the body itself as Well as the head, anne and limbs.` fact that some portions of the body are much thickerv than others, 'and' for other reasons', lthe conditions under which the examination of the different portions should bev conducted, vary within wide limits.

Some portions require a much longer period of exposureth'an" others, and it has 'been found that the clearness and completeness ofthe exposure in examining some portions of' the lis greatl improved by what is known as a buc 4ry diaphragm. The bucky diaphragm includes a shutter or vSlat ike member which canv be shifted across illumination; and this diaT phragin includes slats of materials Whose permeability that'of the air to such an 'extent that the travel of some of the rays is impeded With-V` out serious impediment to others. As a result, the time of exposure can be increased to the intervaly necessary to secure aclear impression from those rays which est to catch, without, however, allovvingi excessive photographie action to takep by those tinism.

all

The actionof this bucky diaphragm is `v similar in some respectsto4 that produced' by a. ray filter in certain vother classesA of hot aphy. y,

p Inoiider to secure the best results when using the bucky diaphragm, it is desirable to employ a construction of table or body support which has its .On account of the by the X-ray is different front are hardy ,mi rays which possess a higher `ac-v` i for" the purpose of top face curved about the nemer from which the illuminating rays' emanate. Consequently, there f have been provided in the past YX-ray tables equipped With suitable mechanism for producing the photographie impression With the useof a Sio-called bucky diaphragm, lWhich tables have la `curved top or bed conforming to the 'characteristics above explained, and usually-made Iof aluminum 'or the like.

There 'arefrnany `'classes of vK-rafy'f examin-ation's 'which donot require 'the usel -of the bucky diaphragm, `but on 4the contrary, these' other examinations best be performed in the ordinary manner. For the purpose 'of 'such an examination, it is only necessary to place the sensitized plate immediately behind that portion of the anatomy to be examined, so that the rays will directly impinge on the plate after passin-G through the anatomy. For the purpose ofb such an examination, it vement. and common expedient to place the plate on Ya flat table and then to place the patent immediately above the plate and inV cor'ita-.t therewith, directing the X-rays through the anatomy "ofi onto the plate.

Owing to the fact that 'these Xsray tables are very expensive fand occupy aconsiderable amountof space in the laboratory,

blesl which are provided With solid removf able 'tops in the `form 'of a single piece apg proximating the size of a door, which ytop when in place on the table provides a bed forl the patient When being examined With*- out the use of the b'ucky diaphragi'n,` and lWhich top is bodily removedjin korder to expose the curvedbe'd beneath it' when lit is desirable to perform *a bucky diaphragm examination. V

The above, Inenboned` arrangement iS. e-`X- tremely cumbersome and objeetienable 'from numerous standpoints, including" the' fact that it becomes practically necessary to employ the services of a special extra attendant removing and replacing this top according to the character of the examination to be performed. Further notable objection is that, on account of its size, the manipulation of this table wp is the patient and cases move away diaphragm table,

objectionable since attending doctors patients, attendants, and friends or relatives present at the examination must in many from the table while the top is being removed or set into place. This tends to create confusion and detracts attention, both of which are very objectionable in any pathological laboratory.

The main object of Vmy present invention is to provide ink combinationY with a bucky `an adjustable top therefor in the form of a flexible or collapsible partition of such nature and characteristics that it can be rolled or folded to either remove it'from the operating position or to reinsert it inplace; said partition also being so mounted and supported that when in operating position it will eectively carry the weight of the patient; and also that when removed it will pass into or away from the body portion of the table in a manner not requiring substantially more space than is occupied by the table itself.

A further object in connection with the foregoing is to so arrange this partition that when it is moved into the inoperative position it will allow of the'patients reaching the bucky diaphragmsupport without material difficulty, and in fact in practically aseasy a manner as is possible with the old style of arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to make provision for moving the partition into orpout of working'position by the use of a motor or other power mechanism, if desired; and in this connection to make provision for controlling the motor so as to either fully remove the partition from the bucky diaphragm,

working position or fully restore it thereto by a simple switch operation and without the need of special thought or care on the part of the operator. i

A further object of the invention is to make provision for coupling the lamp stand to the bucky diaphragm if desired, so that the back and forth movements of these two parts can be properly harmonized when' using the notwithstanding the presence of the adjustable partition previously referred to.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same, which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts'hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a side view of an outfit embodying the features of the present invention, portions of the housing being broken away so as to better reveal the interior construction, and the lamp stand being broken away in order to reduce the size of the gure;

Fig. 2 shows a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1, the partitionbeing in working position, but portions of the partition and portions of the housing `therefor being broken away;

Fig. 3 shows a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 shows an end view of the apparatus looking in the opposite direction to Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a fragmentary perspective view of two of the end slats, together with the connecting straps;

Fig.'6 vshows a fragmentary detail view of amodified construction for supporting and driving the partition; and

Fig. 7 shows a section taken on the line 7-1-7 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The table illustrated in the drawings includes a suitable base or supporting section whichincludes the end brackets 8 and 9 respectively. A vertical mast or post 10 is provided which carries a bracket 11 upon which the X-ray apparatus 12 is located, the detailed construction of which it is unnecessary to explain in this application. This bracket 11 is vertically movable upon the mast 10, being counter-balanced by a cord 13 or in any other suitable manner, so that it can be easily raised and lowered.

The mast itself is supported in an upright position by means of brackets 14: and 15, and these brackets are so carried and supported that the mast can be moved back and forth lengthwise of the table so as to present the X-ray apparatus directly to any desired point on the table. For this purpose, I have illustrated a rail 16 extending horizontally between the lower portions of the brackets S and 9, and the bottom mast bracket 15 is mounted to travel with respect to the rail 16. The bracket 14 is also mounted so that it can travel lengthwise with respect to the table while giving the mast proper support. The details of construction of these brackets arev not illustrated, since any suitable construction may be vailed of.

The bucky diaphragm apparatus, and the table surface upon which the patient is placed, are both carried by the upper portions of the brackets 8 and 9. The support for the bucky diaphragm apparatus is such that this apparatus can be shifted lengthwise of the table, and at the same time the arrangement is such that when desired, a removable partition can be drawn over the bucky diaphragm apparatus so as to provide a support for thepatient independently thereof. I will now explain more in detail the particular yconstruction illustrated for making it possible to secure the results desired.

,This particular construction includes a box like structure 17, preferably of sheet metal, having a floor 18 and side walls 19 and 20. Within this structure is placed the y (y vided or co v bucky Ldia'phragni apparatus 21',v whose de-y tailedconstructionit is notconsifdered nec'- @sary te illustrare,- sineef thistype l of appa,- ratiis is" gwellv known and `understood in the 'art-fA Ifwill state,ihowever, that thebueky diphragmfincludes a curved top orbed;` 22` y, which n. .the e atieht may' f be placed," and supportedwhen fiie'bcky diaphragm is be- 'also'state' that thebucky4 diap'liragm` can beY shifted lengthwise within the box like' strn'ctnreybeing supported for thi'spurpo'se in any `rconvenientmanner ermitting such shifting to take place. .he

constructiont"illustratedv includes the side"v rails 23 and24 locatedwithin the side 'walls lland ofthe box likev structure;

shes-idewauwaindude s ingitudinsi y@paling*#25 through which the bracket 14 reachesto'the interior of the box 20 like 'structure' sonas to establish the proper lateral support' 4fonfsaid bracket ywhile per-1 mittingithe bracketto'move lengthwise of thejap aratus. Ilugor. finger 26 is jprofectingthe mast 10 withY Vthe bucky "diaphragm "ifipparatus,l so that if de-k sired," both fthe' mast [and 'the bucky diaphragrn will comgelled to' travel back andjforth in unison. j i evertheless, this Vcondisccmnected:` so that either tlienast or thfebucky diaphragm can' be shifted independently 'of the other.;

lIjjlmv'e provided a partition 27 wlic'h'may' Vbepshiiiftedi with reSr'eCt @the r'eliling Per? tionsv of the apparatus Vso astoy either.coyeiuA over" l bckyV diaphragm" and' an independent suppbrt for" the patient; i or which partition-,may be readily moved. away from 'suchposition-so as 'to expose the' linickyv diaphragmandfallow the same to bel used for supporting the patient( and making the examinationiw Y In 'the 'particular construction illustrated, I have provided na longitudinally movable seetioniz'ed p'ifrtition including cross slats 28 carried by astripof canvas' 'or other Suitablev flexible material 297,; the VIslats 28 being placed close enough together ,to provideV a substan# tially continuous supportingi surface when i. laidout yfiat,:but l'allo'WiIlg the partition to `bend or fold in'passingover a roller-or pulley,y so that it'can' be readily shifted away from the working position Vfinto! a location.

where it willbe out of the wayand atv the ,l same time allow the bucky diaphragm apparatu's to be lconveniently used. i l

d The particular arrangement illustrated includes guideways 30 and3l for the end portions ofthe slats 28, permitting thevslats to of befshipfted longitudinally ofthe table, but

effectively supportingl'the end portions of theslats. The illustrated Construction also includes pulleys 32,355,331 `and v at the ends ofthe table' over which `the partitioninay be passed into the lower like' structhe previous y referred to.

a relatively large portion 36 of the boxf at such"l points thatlthe partition 'can `bev turned aroundin order to present anopen 1 or non-slatted portion above the'bncky diaphragmappa'ratus so asto expose said apparatus and permit it to be used. Fory this urpose, the slatted portion is illustrated as being y substantially the same length as the table itself,"and the free ends of the member 2,9 are'joined together straps'or strips 39 and 110 placed at the proper position to ride over the pulleys referred to. These straps 394 and 40 when used are placed close tothe edge ofthe partition, sothat the space between them ispra'cti'c'ally equal in width to the widthof the buoky diaphragm itself.A

kSince the` slats 28 are intended to support" the weight of the patient lying on the center portion of the'partition, said slats should be of suliicient rigidity to carry ajsubstantial weight without appreciable bending. For this purpose I have sh'ownea'ch slat as being provided with asideplate 451 comprising a'thin bar of metal and connected to the side of the slat by screws or anyother convenient manner. These bars' will provide the desired rigidityof structure' while at the possibleto'have a par# n same time making it tition' presenting an alniost' `contiinro'us sur` face of wood with the attendantadvantages;

Examination of Figs. v1 and 3 in particular willshowthefac't thatv the slatted portion Hof the partit-ion can be retreated into a compartment 36 in the lower portion of the box like structure, which compartmentis located beneath the track ways and supportf ing `elements for the bucky diaphragm apparatus. `'Ihisapparatus is in effect encir-l cled or surrounded by the partition and itsV end connecting straps.

'When it is desired vto. move the partition either into or outV of the working position this can be accomplished in any convenient manner,y either Vby hand or powen In the lconstruction illustrated, I khave shown an electric motor 42 placed within the box like structure and at one end thereof, and geared to' the 'shaft 43 which extends between the pulleys 32"and 33, by means of gears 44: and 45. It is preferred that such motor and gearing when used should .be located at a position where' they will not interfere `with ay Vfree Ymovement of the `bucky diaphragm into any service position. For this reason, I `have illustrated these mechanisms as be-` ing locatedclose to one end of the apparatus.

In the modified arrangement v'shown in Figs. 6- and.7, the use of cross shafts located centrally ofthe pulleyshasgbeen done away with, and instead,4 each pulley is carried by a bracket 46Y secured to the box like struclat' ture itself. Each of these pulleys is also provided with an internal gear l'and a cross shaft 4S located low down in the structure is provided, the same having a pinion 49 meshing with each of the internal gears of the opposite pulleys. In this case also a motor 50 is connected to the cross Shaft 48 byV a pinion 51.

This modified construction will in some cases present lmaterial advantages for the reason that when the bucky-diaphragm apparatus is in use, the patienty can more readily climb up onto the same by placing the shaft 4S as low down as possible.

The particular arrangement of partition illustrated in the drawings is movable longitudinally of the apparatus, and is adaptedto retreat into the lower portion of a horizontall extending box-like enclosing structure. It will be understood, however, that as far. as the essential feature of the invention is concerned, many other arrangements might be used without departing from the spirit of lmy present invention. For example, thepartition mightV be constructed and mounted to travel transversely instead of longitudinally, and the flexible partition might be arranged to wind up on a drum or retreat into anjy7 othersuitable place or enclosure than the particular one illustrated.

Consequently, Ido not intend to limit my- Self to theparticular construction illustrated herein exceptl as I may do Aso in the claims.

Any suitable controlling device may be used for controlling the operation of the electric motor to move the partition either into position above the buclry diaphragm or away from such posit-ion. For example, a two point switch can be used for this purpose, which when thrown into one position will cause the motor to move the partition into working position, and which switch when thrown into the other position will cause the partition to be moved away so as to expose the buclry diaphragm.

I claim:

1. In an X-ray table the combination of a horizontally movable bucky diaphragm and patient support, a horizontally movable vertical lamp carrying mast adjacent thereto, separated pulleys at each end of `the structure in line with the line of travel of the bucky diaphragm, a` slatted flexible partition having its slats extending parallel to the axes of the pulleys and capable of flexure over the pulleys, means for support-ing the edge portions of said partition to support the slats thereof when said slats are lo-y cated above the position of the buclry diaphragm, said partition being adapted for travel over the pulleys aforesaid, the ends of the slatted portion of the partition being separated a substantial distance from each other during its travel over the pulleys,

means for joining together the edges of Said separated ends leaving an open space between said edges, and means for causing the partition to travel over the pulleys to carry either its slatted or its unslatted portion into position above the bucky diaphragm, whereby when the slatted portion of the partition stands in the operative position above the bucky diaphragm a patient may be supported thereon for examination, and whereby when the unslatted portion of the partition is presented above the buclry diaphragm, a patient supported on the bucky diaphragm may be examined, substantially as described.

2. In an X-ray table the combination of ar horizontally movable .bucky diaphragm and patient support, ahorizontally movable lamp f carrying mast adjacent thereto, rotary supports at each end of the structure in line with the line of travel of the bucky diaphragm, .a slatted flexible partition having its 'slats extending `parallel to the axes of the pulleys and capable of flexure over the pulleys, means for supporting the edge portions of said partition to support the slats thereof when said slats are located above the position of the bucky diaphragm, said partition being adapted for travel over the rotary supports aforesaid, the ends of the slatted portion of the partition being separated a substantial distance from each other during its travel over the rotary supports, means for j oining. together the edges of saidseparated ends leaving an open space between the edges, means for causing the partition to travel over the supports to carry either its slatted or its unslatted portion into position above the buclry diaphragm, whereby whenthe slatted portion of the partition stands in operative position above the'bucky diaphragm a patient may be supported thereon for examination, and whereby when the unslatted portion of the partition is presentedabove the bucky diaphragm a patient supported on the bucky diaphragm may be examined, substantially as described.

3. In an X-ray table the combination of a buclry diaphragm and patient support, a vertical lamp carrying mast adjacent thereto, rotary supports at each end of the structure in line with the line of travel of the bucky diaphragm, a slatted flexible partition having its slats extending parallel to the axes of the pulleys and capable of flexurc over the pulleys, means for supporting the edge portions of said partition to support the slats thereof when said slats are located above the position of the b'ucky diaphragm, said partition being adapted for travel overy the rotary supports aforesaid, the ends of the slatted portion of the partition being separated a substantial distance from each other during its travel over the rotary Supports, means for joining together the edges of said separated ends leaving an open space between the edges, means for causing the partition to travel over the supports to carry either its slatted or its unslatted portion into position above the bucky diaphragm, whereby Vwhen the slatted portion of the partition stands in operative position above the bucky diaphragm a patient may be supported thereon for examination, and whereby when the unslatted portion of the partition is presented above the bucky diaphragm a -patient supported on the bucky diaphragm may be eX- amined, substantially as described.

4. In an X-ray table the combination of a bucky diaphragm and patient support, a vertical lamp carrying mast adjacent thereto, a slatted flexible partition having parallel slats flexibly connected together and capable of flexure in a direction parallel to the slats at points intermediate between said slats and relatively rigid against flexure in a direction at right angles to the slats, means for supporting the edge portions of said partition to support the ends of the slats thereof when said slats are 'located above the position of the bucky diaphragm and thus afford a suitable support for the patient,'rotarysupporting means for the partition at one end of the apparatus, a suitable compartment to receive the partition when not in service, and means under the control of the operator for moving the partition either into said compartment to allow the patient to be directly supported with respect to the bucky diaphragm or into p0- sition above the bucky diaphragm as desired to afford support for the patient on the partition, substantially as described.

5. In an X-ray table the combination of a bucky diaphragm and patient support, a slatted flexible partition having parallel slats flexibly connected together and capable of flexure in a direction parallel to the slats at points intermediate between said slats and relatively rigid against flexure in a direction at right angles to the slats, means for supporting the edge portions of said partition to support the ends of the slats thereof when said slats are located above the positionof the bucky diaphragm and thus afford a suitable support for the patient, rotary supporting means for the partition at one end o partment 4to receive the partition when not inservice, and means under the control of the operator for moving the partition either into said compartment to allow the patient to be directly supported with respect to the bucky diaphragm or into positionabove the bucky diaphragm as desired to afford support for the atient on the partition, su stantially as described.

the apparatus, a suitable com-V 6. In an X-ray table the combination of a l krelatively rigid against flexure in a direction atright angles to the slats, means for supporting the edge portions of said partition to support the ends of the slats thereof when said slats are located above the position of the bucky dia hragrn and thus afford a suitable supportV fiir the patient, a, suitable compartment to receive the partition when not in service, and means under the control ofthe operator for moving the partition either into said compartment to allow the patient to be directly supported with respect to the bucky diaphragm or into position above the bucky diaphragm as desired to afford support for the patient on the partition, substantially as described.

7. In an X-ray table the combination of a bucky diaphragm and patient support, a flexible longitudinally movable partition capable of flexure acrossrits length and capable of resisting ordinary loads against flexure parallel to its length, means for supporting the edge portions of said partition when located above the position of the bucky diaphragm and thus afford suitable support for the` patient, a suitable compartment in the -ray table to receive the partition when not in service, and means under the control of the operator for moving the partition either into said compartment to allow the patient to be directly supported with respect to the bucky'diaphragm or intoposition above the bucky diaphragm as desired` to afford support for the patient on the partition, substantially as described. v

8. In an X-ray table the combination of al bucky flexible given direction with respect tothe position of the bucky diaphragm, said partitionbeing capable of flexure across said direction of movement and capable of resisting flexdiaphragm` and patient support, a

partition capable of movement in a e ure at right angles thereto, means for supy porting the edge portions of the partition when in place above the position ofthe b'ucky diaphragm and thus afford a suitable support for the patient, a suitable compartment in the X-ray table to receive the partition when not in services, and means under the control of the operator formoving the partition into either said compartment to allow the patient to be directly' supported with respect to the bucky diaphragm or into position above the bucky diaphragm, as desired to afford support. for the patient on the partition, substantially as described.

1 MCKEE D. HYN ES. 

